NESTA THE REAL DEAL
Real were considered to be Europe's most exciting team last term and won La Primera Liga by a considerable margin. However, when it came to summer transfer targets, the club still decided on adding the skill of Zidane when bolstering the defence seemed a more pressing task.
Indeed, with the Frenchman yet to settle in Madrid and the team having picked up just one point from their opening two league games in 2001-02, the eight times European champions have come under some fierce criticism for their defensive frailties. Club president Florentino Perez clearly intends to remedy this as soon as possible, and considering Nesta's reputation, there could surely be no more appropriate signing.
The Italian international was superb throughout last season, making over a century of challenges - the highest total at the club - of which he won the ball in a stunning 83%. The secret to Nesta's superb tackling is his timing, a skill which led to him being booked just four times in 2000-01 - some achievement considering his combative nature.
Nesta also made 247 defensive clearances last term - the sixth highest total in Serie A - but has a great left foot and does know how to play the ball with skill from the back as well.
In fact, the 25-year-old was accurate with 77% of his passes last season - a greater proportion than pass masters Juan Sebastian Veron and Pavel Nedved managed - and has bettered that this term, connecting with a colleague in a fantastic 92% of his distribution.
But despite Nesta's skill, something Real will not expect to see too often from him are goals. He has scored just twice in nine league campaigns for Lazio since turning pro in 1993 and attempted just two shots last season, both of which went wayward.
Real showed how serious they are about getting Nesta when sports director Jorge Valdano stated that the defender was "the only player we are interested in". But Lazio are unlikely to let their prize asset leave without a fight, and will at least demand another record outlay from the Madrid club to part with their leader.
